Container assembly

ABSTRACT

Provided are container assemblies, including at least two containers detachably attached to one another by locking arrangements.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is generally in the field of multi-containerassemblies. More specifically the disclosure is directed to a lockingsystem for detachably attaching containers to one another.

The term multi-container assembly as used herein denotes any set ofcontainers configured for articulation to one another, the assemblybeing either stationary or locomotive. Said assembly can be used as atool cart, workshop, traveling luggage, etc.

The term container as used herein denotes any type of container, used asa tool caddy, organizer, traveler bag, cosmetics bag, storagecontainers, locomoting containers, etc.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

According to the present disclosure there is a container assemblycomprising at least one first container and at least one secondcontainer, each of which is configured with a top base portion and abottom base portion, wherein a top base portion of a first container isconfigured for at least partially nesting a bottom base portion of asecond container, and wherein the first container is configured at a topportion thereof with a locking arrangement configured for lockingengagement with a bottom portion of the second container nested withinthe top base portion.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure the lockingarrangement is a sliding locking mechanism, and according to a secondaspect of the disclosure the locking mechanism is a snap-type latchmechanism.

According to the first aspect of the present disclosure there isprovided a container assembly comprising at least one first containerand at least one second container, detachably attachable to one anotherby a sliding locking mechanism. The sliding locking mechanism interactsbetween the at least one first container and at least one secondcontainer, wherein the at least one first container is configured at atop portion thereof with a first locking member and the at least onesecond container is configured at a bottom portion thereof with a secondlocking member, such that when the second container rests over the firstcontainer said first locking member and said second locking member arealigned and are configured for locking by interaction one with theother.

A bottom most container of the container (also referred to herein as abase container) assembly serves as a first container, wherein acontainer mounted over said base container is a second container. Thearrangement is such that the container assembly can comprise additionalcontainers, wherein each second container can be configured with asecond locking member at a bottom portion of the container and with afirst locking member at a top portion of the container, whereby theadditional containers can be mounted over one another and locked to eachother. In other words, the containers assembly may comprise a firstcontainer, serving as a base container, onto which at least one secondcontainer is mounted, such that each second container is configured withboth a first locking member at a top portion and a second locking memberat a bottom portion thereof.

When the containers assembly includes only two containers, the secondcontainer typically is configured with a second locking member at itsbottom portion, and optionally with a first locking member at its topportion.

The sliding locking mechanism comprises a sliding unit, that comprises aslider member and at least one arresting member, the sliding unit beingconfigured at one of the first container and the second container, andconstitutes one of said first locking member and said second lockingmember. The sliding locking mechanism further comprises a correspondingat least one static locking element configured at the other of the firstcontainer and the second container and constituting the other one ofsaid first locking member and said second locking member.

The sliding unit is slidingly displaceable between a locked position, inwhich the at least one arresting member arrests the corresponding staticlocking element, thereby locking the second container in position abovethe first container; and an unlocked position, wherein the arrestingmember is disengaged from the corresponding static locking elementwhereby the second container can be removed from the first container.

According to a particular example, the container assembly comprises afirst, base container configured at a top portion thereof with saidsliding unit, and a second container configured at a bottom portionthereof with said corresponding static locking element, whereby uponplacing the second container over the first container the slider unitcan be displaced into locking, thus arresting said static lockingelement.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations,can be implemented in a multi-container assembly of the first aspect,according to the present disclosure, individually or in variouscombinations thereof:

-   -   The container assembly may be modular, such that a bottom of any        second container can be mounted over a top of any first        container.    -   A bottom-most container in a container assembly is a base        container.    -   The container assembly can be configured as a portable container        assembly, wherein the base container can be fitted with a        locomoting arrangement. According to one particular arrangement,        the base container is wheeled.    -   A top-most container, which serves as a second container, can be        configured with only a bottom portion configured for mounting        over a first container disposed therebelow, e.g. such a top-most        container can be devoid of said second locking member. An        example of such a container is a soft carry container.    -   The first locking member and the second locking member can be        interchangeable, i.e. the first locking member and the second        locking member can be configured at either a top portion or a        bottom portion of a respective container.    -   The sliding locking mechanism can be configured with a visible        indication indicating a ‘locked’ or ‘unlocked’ position thereof.        The visible indication can be associated independently with each        locking mechanism.    -   The slider member of the sliding unit can be configured with a        finger grip.    -   The slider member of the sliding unit can snapingly displace        between the respective locked/unlocked position.    -   The slider member may be spontaneously displaceable into        arresting the static locking element, whereby one or both of the        arresting element of the sliding unit and the respective static        locking element can be configured with a chamfered gliding        surface, whereby positioning of the second container over the        first container results in spontaneous displacement of the        slider member into arresting the static locking element.    -   The slider unit may be configured with a biasing mechanism for        biasing the slider member into the locked position.    -   The container assembly may be configured with an anti-unlocking        rod for simultaneously arresting sliding locking mechanisms of        all respective containers at a locked position. The        anti-unlocking rod can be locked at an anti-unlocking position.    -   The first locking member and the second locking member        substantially do not project beyond or below a respective top        most edge and a bottom most edge of the respective first        container and second container.    -   The containers of a container assembly may be configured with at        least two sliding locking mechanism disposed at opposite side        faces of each container.

According to the second aspect of the disclosure, the container assemblycomprises a locking arrangement that comprises at least one lockingmember and a locking receptacle. At least one side wall of the firstcontainer comprises said at least one locking member pivotally securedat a top portion of the first container, and said locking receptacle isconfigured at a base portion of the second container, said lockingmember configured with at least one locking latch configured for lockingengagement within said locking receptacle; the locking member beingpivotally displaceable between a locked position in which the at leastone locking latch is radially engaged within the locking receptacle,such that the second container is lockingly articulated over the firstcontainer, and an unlocked position in which the locking member isoutwardly pivoted and the at least one locking latch is disengaged fromthe locking receptacle such that the second container can be separatedfrom the first container.

It is appreciated the term ‘first container’ and ‘second container’denote the order of containers mounted over each other, whilst in fact alike container can constitute a first container and a second container.Accordingly, a container assembly according to the present disclosuremay comprise two containers, wherein the bottom most container is aso-called first container, and a container mounted over said basecontainer is thus a so-called second container. However, when acontainer assembly comprises three or more containers, a bottom-mostcontainer is a so-called first container, and a container mounted oversaid base container is a so-called second container, whilst said secondcontainer becomes a ‘first container’ when addressing the relation witha third container mounted thereover—in such a case the second containerwill be referred to as a ‘first container’ and the third containerbearing thereover will in turn be referred to as a ‘second container’.

According to a particular configuration of the disclosure, the first,bottom most container is a base container, configured with locomotingmechanism, e.g. a wheeling system, and a manipulating arrangement, e.g.a telescopic handle extending therefrom.

According to another aspect there is provided a container comprising atleast one of a locking receptacle configured at the base portion of thecontainer, and at least one locking member configured with at least onelocking latch and being pivotally secured at the top portion of thecontainer, the locking member being pivotally displaceable between alocked position at which the at least one locking latch radiallyinwardly projects into a top base portion of the container, and anunlocked position in which the locking member is outwardly pivoted.

The container is configured for use in conjunction with a containerassembly as disclosed herein.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations,can be implemented in a multi-container assembly of the second aspect,according to the present disclosure, individually or in variouscombinations thereof:

-   -   The locking member may be pivotally displaceable between its        unlocked position and its locked position about an axis        extending substantially parallel to a the top base portion of        the container;    -   The first container can be configured with a support rim        constituting a nesting portion, at least partially        circumferencing the top base portion thereof, and wherein at the        locked position the at least one locking latch radially projects        inwardly from said rim;    -   The support rim can be configured with one or more latch        passages, each slidingly accommodating a locking latch of the        locking member;    -   The one or more locking latch of the locking member extends        below a top surface of the support rim, whereby it is protected;    -   At an assembled position, a base portion of the first container        is at least partially nested within the support rim of the first        container;    -   The second container can be configured at the bottom base        portion thereof with a nestable portion, shaped and sized for at        least partial nesting within boundaries of the support rim of        the first container;    -   The second container can be configured at the bottom base        portion thereof with a seat portion at least partially        circumferencing the nestable portion; said seat portion        configured for bearing over a top surface of the support rim of        the second container;    -   One or both of the nestable portion and the support rim can be        configured with a chamfered gliding surface for easy positioning        the nestable portion within the nesting portion;    -   The locking receptacle of the second container is configured at        the seat portion and has an opening on a face of said seat        portion, said opening disposed in alignment with a respective        latch of the locking member;    -   Any container can be a bucket-like container configured with a        top opening, or a container configured with a closable lid (e.g.        a pivotable lid), or the container can have a fixed top cover,        configured with side openings;    -   A container can be a tactic unit, such as power unit, power        tool, support structure, etc., and configured with at least one        of a locking receptacle configured at the base portion of the        container, and at least one locking member configured with at        least one locking latch and being pivotally secured at the top        portion of the container, the locking member being pivotally        displaceable between a locked position at which the at least one        locking latch radially inwardly projects into a top base portion        of the container, and an unlocked position in which the locking        member is outwardly pivoted; said container configured for        interlocking stacking with on top or below a like container;    -   The locking member can be configured with several locking        latches;    -   The locking member can serve as a carrying handle, at either the        locked position and the unlocked position; whereby the carrying        handle is configured with an gripping portion;    -   The gripping portion of the handle can extend within a recess        configured within a side wall of the container, giving rise to a        griping space facilitating an individual to insert his fingers        for gripping said gripping portion;    -   The locking arrangement can be configured with an arresting        arrangement for arresting the locking member at least at the        locked position, regardless if a second container is mounted        thereover;    -   The arresting arrangement can be a snap-type arrangement,        wherein one of the at least one locking latch and a top portion        of the container is configured with a projection and the other        of the at least one locking latch and a top portion of the        container is configured with a recess, wherein the locking        member is snapingly displaceable at least into the locked        position;    -   The locking member can be pivotally restricted between the        locked position and the unlocked position; pivotal restriction        can be facilitated by a restricting projection is configured to        prevent the locking latch from disengaging from the supporting        rim;    -   One or both of the one or more locking member and the latch        passages can be configured with bulges for substantially        reducing or eliminating slack of the locking member and friction        arresting thereof;    -   One or more of the bulges can protrude into a respective        depression for snapingly arresting of the locking member;    -   The locking arrangement can be configured such that in the event        that a second container is placed over a first container, when        the locking member of the first container is at the locked        position, positioning the second container over the first        container entails spontaneous displacement of the locking member        into the unlocked position;    -   The locking arrangement is such that when a second container is        placed over a first container and the locking mechanism is at        the respective locked position, loads applied to the carrying        handle are substantially not applied to the locking latches;    -   The arrangement is such that the one or more locking latches of        a locking mechanism displace through the latch passage between a        locked position in which the locking latches project inwards        from the support rim, configured to engage with a respective        locking receptacle of the second container, and an unlocked        position in which the locking latches are retracted in an        outward direction, such that they substantially do not project        inwards from the support rim, and thus are disengaged from the        locking receptacle of the second container;    -   According to a particular configuration, the container is        rectangular and at least two opposite side walls are each        configured with a locking mechanism.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations,can be implemented in any of the aspects described herein, individuallyor in various combinations thereof:

-   -   The containers of the container assembly are interchangeable,        wherein each container, apart for a wheeled container (i.e. the        base container), can be mounted over each of the other        containers, i.e. the container assemblage can be modular.    -   The containers of the container assembly can comprise one or        more bucket-like containers, one or more drawer containers        configured with a drawer-housing container, one or more        organizer containers configured with an organizer container.    -   The containers of the container assembly can comprise one or        more sliding containers. The sliding container comprising two        sub-containers that are slidingly associated one with the other.    -   The containers of the container assembly can comprise one or        more pivoting container. The pivoting container being pivotably        associated with the first container or any of the second        containers.    -   The containers of the container assembly can comprise one or        more parallel mechanism containers, such that a sliding movement        of one container with respect to the another container brings        one of the containers into a parallel position with respect to        the other container.    -   The container assembly can be configured with a handle. The        handle can be fixed or detachable. The handle can be articulated        to a base container and/or to any other container in the        assembly.    -   The containers of the container assembly may be stackable over        one another or partially nested one within the other.    -   The second container may be arrested over the first containers        at either front orientation or back orientation, i.e. rotated at        180° about a longitudinal axis extending through the containers.    -   One or more of the containers of the container assembly may be        detached and used as carry along, independent container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosedherein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice,embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a top, front left perspective view of a container assemblyaccording to an example of the present disclosure, the lockingarrangement at their locked position;

FIG. 1B is an enlargement of the portion marked I in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a top, front right perspective view of a container assemblyaccording to an example of the present disclosure, the lockingmechanisms at their open, unlocked position;

FIG. 2B is an enlargement of the portion marked II in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a top, front left perspective view of a container assemblyaccording to another example;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged top view of a top container of the assembly ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 4B is an enlargement of the portion marked III in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4C is an enlargement of the portion marked IV in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged bottom view of a top container of the assembly ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5B is a close-up view of the bottom of the top container of FIG.5A;

FIG. 6A is a planar view illustrating a portion of a container assembly,with two locking mechanisms, at a locked position and at an unlockedposition;

FIG. 6B is a schematic representation of FIG. 6A, exposing the lockingarrangement;

FIG. 6C is an enlargement of the locking arrangement of FIG. 6B at theunlocked position;

FIG. 6D is an enlargement of the locking arrangement of FIG. 6B at thelocked position;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an outside face of a locking slide;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an inside face of a locking slide;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a container assembly according toanother example;

FIG. 8B is an exploded view of the principle components of the containerassembly of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a modification of the container of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8D is another modification of the container of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9A is a portion of a section along line L-L in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 9B is a portion of a section along line O-O in FIG. 2B

FIG. 10 illustrates the container assembly of FIG. 1A, fitted with alocking arrangement.

FIG. 11A is a top front right side perspective view of a containerassembly according to an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11B is a longitudinal section along line V-V in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11C is a close-up on the portion marked A in FIG. 11B, showing alocking arrangement of a second aspect of the disclosure, at itsunlocked position;

FIG. 11D is a section along line VI-VI in FIG. 11C;

FIG. 11E is a section along line VII-VII in FIG. 11C;

FIG. 12A is a top rear left side perspective view of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12B is a close-up on the portion marked B in FIG. 12A, showing alocking arrangement of a second aspect of the disclosure, at its lockedposition;

FIG. 13A is a partial section of the locking arrangement, along lineVIII-VIII in FIG. 12B;

FIG. 13B is a partial section of the locking arrangement, along lineIX-IX in FIG. 12B;

FIG. 13C is a partial section of the locking arrangement, along line X-Xin FIG. 12B;

FIG. 13D is a partial section of the locking arrangement, along lineXI-XI in FIG. 12B;

FIG. 13E is a partial section of the locking arrangement, along lineXII-XII in FIG. 12B;

FIG. 14 is a partially exploded view of FIG. 11A, illustrating a topcontainer separate from the container assembly;

FIG. 15A is a close-up of the portion marked D in FIG. 14;

FIG. 15B is a close-up of the portion marked E in FIG. 15A;

FIG. 15C is a bottom perspective view of FIG. 15B;

FIG. 16A is a close-up similar to FIG. 15A, however taken in directionof arrow F in FIG. 15A;

FIG. 16B is a close-up of the portion marked G in FIG. 16A; and

FIG. 16C is a close-up of the portion marked G in FIG. 16A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings directed toa first example of a container assembly according to the presentdisclosure. The container assembly, generally designated 10, is awheeled tool cart assembly comprising a wheeled base open top,bucket-like container 12, fitted with wheels 14 at a bottom rear portionof the base container, and a telescopic handle 16 extending from thebase container and being manipulable between a fully retracted position(not shown) and at least one extracted position for locomoting thecontainer assembly shown in FIG. 1.

The container assembly 10 further comprises a second bucket-likecontainer 20 mounted over container 12, said container 20 beingconfigured with a pivotable lid 22 (the lid 22 being fitted with acarrying handle 24 as will be described with reference to FIG. 8C), saidlid 22 secured by a pair of latches 26 at a front side of the container20. Over container 20 there is an organizer-type container 30accommodating a plurality of removable storage boxes (not seen), saidcontainer 30 being configured with a pivotable lid 32 (the lid 32 beingfitted with a carrying handle 34), said lid 32 secured by a pair oflatches 36 at a front side of the container 30. Over container 30, thereis provided yet an organizer container 40, being a double-deckcantilever-type organizer, fitted with a top cover 44 and securable at aclosed position by a pair of locking latches 46.

The arrangement is such that the containers are stacked one over theother and locked with respect to one another so as to provide to asolid, uniformly rolling tool-cart, the containers are securely lockedto one another by a sliding type locking mechanism generally designated60, as will be discussed hereinafter in greater detail. Accordingly, thesecond bucket-like container 20 is locked over base container 12;organizer-type container 30 is locked over second bucket-like container20; and cantilever-type organizer container 40 is in turn locked overorganizer-type container 30. When the containers are mounted over oneanother and at the locked position, the container assembly 10 is solidcan be safely and easily rolled over the wheels 14.

The sliding locking mechanism 60 comprises a slider member 64 configuredat a top portion of each container, and configured for cooperating inconjunction with a locking element 90 (seen in FIG. 5A) projecting at abottom portion of respective containers, as will become apparent herein.

The slider member 64 is slidingly retained below a guard lip 69 (e.g.FIG. 4A) at a top edge of each of the respective containers 12, 20 and30 said lip guard configured with an openings 71 extending in registerwith locations of the arresting elements 66 (when at the lockedposition) and reciprocally displaceable along the edge along arrow 63,between a locked position (FIG. 1B), and an unlocked position (FIG. 2B).The slider member 64 is in the form of a bar configured at its insideface 65 with a pair of arresting elements 66 laterally projecting anddefining an opening 68 at a top edge 70 of the slider member, with arelief area 72 below said arresting elements 66. It is seen in FIG. 7Bthat the slider element is configured at a bottom edge thereof withanother pair of arresting elements 69, rendering the slider element 64useable for either left or right side mounting.

The slider member 64 is configured at its outside face 75 with a fingergrip in the form of a depression 78, and a locked indicator (e g markingat 82) and an unlocked indicator (e g marking at 84), which during useonly one of which projects from either side of the accommodating slot,indicative as to the respective locked/unlocked position.

The locking mechanism 60 further comprises a static locking element inthe form of an L-shaped locking lug 90 extending at a bottom portion ofa second container (i.e. containers 20, 30, 40), giving rise to a reliefarea 92 above said locking lug 90.

In operation, when a so-called second container (i.e. containers 20, 30,40) is placed over any other so-called first container (containers 12,20, 30), with the locking mechanism 60 at its open, unlocked position,the locking lug 90 protrudes into opening 71 of the guard lip 69, with afree end tip 67 of the arresting element 66 disposed opposite the reliefarea 92 (FIG. 6C). At this position the slider member 64 can beslidingly displaced, in direction of arrow 91 in FIG. 6B, into lockingengagement with the locking lug 90, so that the of the arresting element66 is now disposed within the relief area 92, with the arresting element66 extending parallel above the corresponding locking lug 90 (FIG. 6D),thus preventing disengaging the containers from one another.

Unlocking the container assembly 10 takes place by displacing thearresting element 66 in an opposite direction, i.e. in direction ofarrow 93 on FIG. 6B, resulting in displacement of the free end tip 67away from the relief area 92, i.e. disengagement of arresting element 66from the locking lug 90, facilitating detaching of the containers.

It is noted that the bottom most portion of the locking lugs 90 does notproject below a corresponding bottom most portion 89 of the respectivesecond container (e.g. container 30 in FIG. 5A). This is facilitated bylocating the locking lugs 90 at a bottom portion of side walls 99 of thesecond containers, and likewise by the provision of an upwardsprojection at the top of the first containers (in fact, a peripheralprojection 100 at the lid 32 according to an example). Likewise, the topmost portion of the arresting elements 66 does not project over acorresponding top most portion of the respective first container,minimizing potential damage to the arresting elements and the lockinglugs.

Furthermore, it is shown that the container assembly is configured withtwo locking mechanisms 60, one disposed at each respective side of thecontainers. However, it is appreciated that a container assembly can beconfigured with more or less such locking mechanisms 60.

According to one particular example, the locking mechanisms 60 aredisposed symmetrically, whereby the second container can be mounted overthe respective first container at either front facing or back facingorientation (i.e. a front face of one container coextends a rear facethe container disposed above).

In the disclosed arrangement the arresting elements 66 and the lockinglugs 90 extend substantially parallel to one another, and the arrestingelements 66 are slidingly displaceable parallel to the locking lugs 90.Likewise, in the illustrated disclosure, the slider members 64 with thearresting elements 66 are displaceable parallel to the respective guardlip 69. Furthermore, as seen best in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the slider members64 are slidingly supported within a supporting space between twoparallely disposed surfaces 104 and 108 (FIGS. 5A, 6A, 9A and 9B).

Whilst in the illustrated examples the first container (i.e. a bottomcontainer of a pair of a container assembly) is configured with thefirst locking member (i.e. in form of the slider locking member) and thesecond container (i.e. a top container of a pair of a containerassembly) is configured with the second locking member (i.e. in form ofthe static locking element), it is noted that these can be otherwiseconfigured, namely with the second locking member configured at thefirst container and with the first locking member configured at thesecond containers, respectively.

According to a particular configuration, either or both a surface of thesliding member and of the wall surfaces slidingly supporting the slidingmember are configured with protrusions and or depressions (not seen),whereby the sliding member is prevented from spontaneous displacementbetween its respective locked and unlocked positions, as it requiressome degree of force to displace same, optionally in a ‘clicking’manner.

Whilst in the illustrated examples the second containers are stackedover the respective first containers, it is appreciated that accordingto yet an example of the disclosure, the second container can be atleast partially nested within the respective first container, howeverwith a projecting portion of the second container extending above a topedge of the respective first container, wherein the second lockingmember is thus configured at said projecting portion of the secondcontainer.

In order to ensure smooth and easy locking of the locking mechanism, itis required that the second locking member, namely the static lockinglug 90 extend in place opposite the relief area 72 below said arrestingelements 66. This is facilitated by providing true positioningarrangement of the second container over first container, wherebylocation arrangements are configured, namely groove 135 (FIG. 5B) atleast partially surrounding a bottom portion of the respective secondcontainer, and configured for easy mounting over the peripheralprojection 100 at the lid 32.

According to a different example of the disclosure, the slider member isnormally biased into the locking position, whereby displacing it intothe open position requires overcoming the biasing force. This can befacilitated by manually displacing the slider member into the openposition, or by configuring facing edges of the corresponding free endtip 67 of the arresting element 66 (FIGS. 6C and 6D) and the free end ofthe locking lug 90, with a chamfered portion (138 and 140, shown inFIGS. 6C and 6D), whereby positioning the second container over thefirst container at an engaging position, generates a reactionary forcebetween said chamfered portions 138 and 140, having a resultant forcecomponent in a lateral direction, entailing corresponding lateralmomentary displacement of the slider member 64 into the open position,facilitating the locking lug 90 to snap below the arresting element 66with the slider member returning to its locked position under thebiasing effect (FIG. 6D).

Reverting now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the container assembly 10 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 is illustrated, however with the organizer container 40removed. It can be seen (also in FIG. 4A) that the top cover 156 of theuppermost container 30 has a top face substantially similar to top faceof cover 44 of that of organizer container 40. This arrangement appliesto other containers too, e.g. container 20 has a top face 158 (FIGS. 8Band 8C) substantially similar to top cover 156 of container 39. Likewise to bottom faces of such containers, rendering modularity of thecontainer assembly. Accordingly, the containers of the containerassembly have matching top faces and bottom faces, whereby any secondcontainer of the assembly can be mounted over any first container, atany order. The above applies also in the case of a bucket-like container(e.g. container 12 of the assembly), whereby the top peripheral portion100 mimics the top of any other container of the assembly.

One example of modular assembly is shown in FIG. 8A, wherein the wheeledbase container 12 serves as a first container and wherein a secondcontainer in the form of organizer container 30 is mounted over the opentop bucket-like container 12, with locking mechanism 60 securely fixingthe two. Further above, the container 30 serves as a first containerwherein a second container now takes form by container 20, locked overcontainer 30 by locking mechanism 66. It is seen that the container 20is configured with a locking mechanism 60 of the above describedconfiguration and has a modular top face 158, whereby it is ready forlocking receiving thereover any other container of the assembly.

In FIG. 8C a container 20 with lid 22 is mounted over the open topbucket-like container 12, with locking mechanism 60 securely fixing thesecond container 20 over the first container 12. It is seen that thesecond container 20 is configured with a locking mechanism 60 of theabove described configuration and a modular type top face 158, wherebyit is ready for locking receiving thereover any other container of theassembly. In this case the assembly can be rolled over the wheels 14 bythe telescopic handle assembly 16 (removed in this drawing) or by aid ofcarrying handle 24 fitted at cover 22.

Another example is illustrated in FIG. 8D, wherein a second container isnow in the form of organizer container 30 mounted over the open topbucket-like container 12, with locking mechanism 60 securely fixing thesecond container 30 over the first container 12. It is seen that thesecond container 30 is configured with a locking mechanism 60 of theabove described configuration and has a modular top face 156, whereby itis ready for locking receiving thereover any other container of theassembly.

Turning now to FIG. 10 of the drawings there is illustrated a containerassembly 10′ according to the disclosure, wherein there is provided anunlocking mechanism in the form of a rod 174 extending through openings178 of the respective containers. The rod 174 is secured in place, forexample by a pad lock (not shown). The arrangement is such that the rod174 extends in close proximity to the housing portion of each containeraccommodating the locking mechanism 66, whereby when the rod 174 is inplace all the slider members 64 of the locking mechanisms are arrestedat their locked position, preventing their sliding displacement into theopen position, whereby all containers of the assembly are locked overone another. An optional locking configuration is obtained by applying apad lock through each or selective openings 178, resulting in selectivelocking arrestment of locking mechanisms 66.

With further reference to FIGS. 11 to 16 there is disclosed a containerlocking mechanism according to the second aspect of the presentdisclosure. In the illustrated example the container assembly, generallydesignated 200, comprises three substantially rectangular containers,namely a base container 204 fitted with a pair of locomotive wheels 206and a telescopic manipulating handle 210 (FIG. 12A; illustrated at aretracted, collapsed position). Container 204 is a bucket-likecontainer, i.e. configured with a top opening and typically suited forcarrying large items such as hand tools and the like. Mounted over basecontainer 204 there is a second container in the form of a tool boxcontainer 214 (of the type comprising a pivotally secured lid closeableby toggle latches 216 (FIG. 11A)). An organizer-type container 220 ismounted over the tool box 214, with a pivotal carrying handlearticulated thereto.

The disclosed arrangement thus illustrates three containers mounted ontop of one another, wherein the base container 204 is referred to as afirst container and the tool box container 214 mounted thereover isreferred to as a second container. However, when referring to therelation between the tool box container 214 and the organizer container220, then the tool box container 214 is referred to as a first containerand the organizer container 220 mounted thereover is referred to as asecond container. That being said, it is appreciated that the disclosedlocking arrangement refers to locking engagement between any firstcontainer and second container mounted thereover. It is also noted thatthe container assembly is modular in the sense that any container may bemounted and locked over any other container, even without the basecontainer 204 (with the exception that the base container always servesas a first container).

As can be seen in the annexed figures, each first container (in thepresent example each of the three containers 204, 214 and 216) is fittedwith a top base portion 230 and a bottom base portion 234 (save for thebase container 204). Each of the three containers is configured with anupwardly projecting support rim 238, at least partiallyencircling/circumferencing a top face thereof, however extending atleast at side wall portions of the respective containers. The supportrim thus constitutes a nesting portion, at least partiallycircumferencing the top base portion of the containers.

The tool box container 214 and the organizer-type container 220 areconfigured at their base with a nestable portion 240 (i.e. a downwardextending basin like portion) shaped and sized for at least partialnesting within boundaries of the nesting portion defined by the supportrim 238, however wherein at the assembled position a shoulder seatportion 242 of the nestable portion 240 bears over at least portions ofthe support rim 238.

Each of the three containers 204, 214 and 216 is configured at twoopposite side walls with a locking mechanism generally designated 245,comprising a locking member 248 pivotally secured at the top portion 230of the so-called first container (however seen in each of theillustrated containers), said locking member 248 configured with atleast one locking latch 250 configured for locking engagement within alocking receptacle 254 formed at the base portion 234 of each secondcontainer (containers 214 and 216 in the present case).

The locking member 248 is pivotally displaceable between a lockedposition (FIGS. 11B, 12A, 12B, 13A to 13E), in which the at least onelocking latch 250 is engaged within the respective locking receptacle254 of the second container mounted thereover, and an unlocked position(FIGS. 11B to 11E, 15A to 15C) in which the locking member 248 isoutwardly pivoted and the wherein the at least one locking latch 250 isdisengaged form the respective locking receptacle 254, wherein thesecond container can be separated from the first container. According toa particular configuration, pivotal displacement of the locking memberbetween its respective locked position and unlocked position is about15°.

The locking latches 250 are displaceable through latch passages 280extending through the support rim 238, wherein the locking latches 250are displaceable between the locked position at which they radiallyproject inwardly from an inner edge of the support rim 238, and theunlocked position wherein the latches 250 are concealed, i.e. do notproject from the support rim 238, so that the latches are protected andare not exposed to undesired impact.

As can be seen, pivotal displacement of the locking member 248 istranslated into radial displacement of the locking latch 250. Further,in the illustrated example each locking member is configured with twolocking latches 250. The locking member 248 is articulated at the topportion of the containers and is pivotable about a horizontal axisdesignated X (when the respective container is placed over a leveledsurface, parallel to the top/bottom base thereof).

In order to facilitate easy and smooth placing of a second containerover a first container, in the nesting arrangement as disclosed hereinabove, the nestable portion 240 and the support rim 238 of the nestingportion are configured with chamfered gliding surfaces 260 and 262,respectively.

The locking member 248 has also a carrying handle 266, and is configuredwith an gripping portion, whereby a container can be carried at eitherthe locked position and the unlocked position, the carrying handle 266extends within a recess 268 formed at the side wall of the container,thus providing to a griping space facilitating an individual to inserthis fingers for gripping said gripping portion.

The locking latches 250 are configured with an upward projection 270 andthe top face of the support rim at the vicinity of the latch passages280 is configured with an arresting opening 274, wherein pivotaldisplacement of the locking member 248 is restricted at its unlockedposition and the locking member is prevented from dispositioning.Furthermore, the locking member 248 is configured at a top face thereofwith several bulges 278 for substantially reducing or eliminating slackof the locking member and friction arresting thereof, and wherein atleast one bulges is configured for protruding into a respectivedepression 280 configured at an inner top wall of the support rim, forsnapingly arresting of the locking member at the locked position, andpreventing spontaneous displacement of the locking member into theunlocked position.

Reverting now to the locking receptacle 254 configured at the respectivebottom base portion 234 of each second container, it is noted that saidlocking receptacle 254 is configured at the seat portion and has anopening 284 on a side face of said seat portion, said opening disposedin alignment with a respective locking latch 250 of the locking member248. Further, the locking latch 250 is configured at a fore bottom endportion thereof, with a projection 288 (best seen in FIG. 11D),configured in turn for snapingly arresting within a correspondingopening 290 at a bottom wall portion of the locking receptacle 254, forarresting the latch and hence the locking member at the locked position,whereby manual manipulation is required for displacing the lockinghandle into the unlocked position.

With further reference to FIGS. 11D, 13A and 13E, it is seen that thefore top edge 294 of the locking latches 250 is chamfered and isconfigured such that it is engageable by a bottom edge 296 of thelocking receptacle 254, whereby at the event that a second container isplaced over a first container, when the locking member 248 of the firstcontainer is at the locked position (FIGS. 13A and 13B), positioning thesecond container over the first container entails spontaneousdisplacement of the locking member into the unlocked position (FIG. 11D)owing to the bottom edge 296 encountering said fore top edge 294 of thelocking latches 250 and pivotally displacing it outwards, into theunlocked position.

1.-41. (canceled)
 42. A containers assembly comprising at least onefirst container and at least one second container, detachably attachableto one another by a sliding locking mechanism; said sliding lockingmechanism interacts between the at least one first container and atleast one second container, wherein the at least one first container isconfigured at a top portion thereof with a first locking member and theat least one second container is configured at a bottom portion thereofwith a second locking member; such that when the second container restsover the first container, said first locking member and said secondlocking member are aligned and are configured for lockingly interactingwith one another.
 43. The containers assembly of claim 42, furthercomprising at least one additional container, said at least oneadditional container being configures with a second locking member at abottom portion thereof and with a first locking member at a top portionof thereof, such that the at least one additional container beingmountable over said second container and locked therewith.
 44. Thecontainers assembly of claim 43, wherein the sliding locking mechanismcomprises a sliding unit that comprises a slider member and at least onearresting member, the sliding unit being configured at one of the firstcontainer and the second container, and constitutes one of said firstlocking member and said second locking member; and a corresponding atleast one static locking element configured at the other of the firstcontainer and the second container and constituting the other one ofsaid first locking member and said second locking member.
 45. Thecontainers assembly of claim 44, wherein the sliding unit is slidinglydisplaceable between a locked position, in which the at least onearresting member arrests the corresponding static locking element,thereby locking the second container in position above the firstcontainer; and an unlocked position, wherein the arresting member isdisengaged from the corresponding static locking element whereby thesecond container can be removed from the first container.
 46. Thecontainers assembly of claim 44, wherein the first container isconfigured at a top portion thereof with said sliding unit, and thesecond container is configured at a bottom portion thereof with saidcorresponding static locking element.
 47. The container assembly ofclaim 42, wherein the slider member of the sliding unit is snapinglydisplaceable between the locked position to the unlocked position. 48.The container assembly of claim 42, wherein the slider member isspontaneously displaceable into arresting the static locking element,whereby one or both of the arresting element of the sliding unit and therespective static locking element are configured with a chamferedgliding surface, whereby positioning of the second container over thefirst container results in spontaneous displacement of the slider memberinto arresting the static locking element.
 49. The container assembly ofclaim 42, wherein the slider unit is configured with a biasing mechanismfor biasing the slider member into the locked position.
 50. Thecontainers assembly of claim 42, wherein the first locking member andthe second locking member are interchangeable.
 51. The containersassembly of claim 50, wherein the first locking member and the secondlocking member are configured at either a top portion or a bottomportion of a respective container.
 52. The container assembly of claim42, wherein each container in the assembly is configured with at leasttwo sliding locking mechanism disposed at opposite side faces of eachcontainer.
 53. A containers assembly comprising at least one firstcontainer and at least one second container, detachably attachable toone another by a locking arrangement that comprises at least one lockingmember and a locking receptacle; at least one side wall of the firstcontainer comprises said at least one locking member pivotally securedat a top portion of the first container, and said locking receptacle isconfigured at a base portion of the second container, said lockingmember configured with at least one locking latch configured for lockingengagement within said locking receptacle; the locking member beingpivotally displaceable between a locked position in which the at leastone locking latch is radially engaged within the locking receptacle,such that the second container is lockingly articulated over the firstcontainer, and an unlocked position in which the locking member isoutwardly pivoted and the at least one locking latch is disengaged fromthe locking receptacle such that the second container can be separatedfrom the first container.
 54. The containers assembly of claim 53,wherein the locking member is pivotally displaceable between theunlocked position and the locked position about an axis extendingsubstantially parallel to a top base portion of the container.
 55. Thecontainer assembly of claim 53, wherein the first container isconfigured with a support rim constituting a nesting portion, at leastpartially circumferencing a top base portion of the first container, andwherein at the locked position the at least one locking latch radiallyprojects inwardly from said rim.
 56. The container assembly of claim 55,wherein said support rim is configured with one or more latch passages,each slidingly accommodating a locking latch of the locking member. 57.The container assembly of claim 55, wherein one or both of the one ormore locking member and the latch passages is configured with bulges forsubstantially reducing or eliminating slack of the locking member andfriction arresting thereof; optionally wherein said one or more of thebulges protrude into a respective depression for snapingly arresting thelocking member.
 58. The container assembly of claim 55, wherein one ormore locking latches of a locking arrangement displace through the latchpassage between a locked position in which the locking latches projectinwards from the support rim, configured to engage with a respectivelocking receptacle of the second container, and an unlocked position inwhich the locking latches are retracted in an outward direction, suchthat they substantially do not project inwards from the support rim, andare disengaged from the locking receptacle of the second container. 59.The container assembly of claim 55, characterized by one or more of thefollowing features: (a) one or more locking latch of the locking memberextends below a top surface of the support rim, (b) when at an assembledposition, a base portion of the first container is at least partiallynested within a support rim of the first container, (c) the secondcontainer is configured at the bottom base portion thereof with anestable portion, shaped and sized for at least partial nesting withinboundaries of the support rim of the first container, and (d) whereinthe locking member is pivotally restricted between the locked positionand the unlocked position; pivotal restriction being facilitated by arestricting projection that is configured to prevent the locking latchfrom disengaging from the support rim.
 60. The container assembly ofclaim 53, characterized by one or more of the following features: (a)the locking receptacle of the second container is configured at the seatportion and has an opening on a face of said seat portion, said openingdisposed in alignment with a respective latch of the locking member; (b)the locking member is configured with several locking latches; (c)wherein the locking member serves as a carrying handle, at either thelocked position and the unlocked position, optionally wherein thecarrying handle is configured with an gripping portion, wherein thegripping handle can extend within a recess configured within a side wallof the container, giving rise to a griping space facilitating anindividual to insert his fingers for gripping said gripping portion; (d)the locking arrangement is configured with an arresting arrangement forarresting the locking member at least at the locked position, regardlessif a second container is mounted thereover; optionally the arrestingarrangement being a snap-type arrangement, wherein one of the at leastone locking latch and a top portion of the container is configured witha projection and the other of the at least one locking latch and a topportion of the container is configured with a recess, wherein thelocking member is snapingly displaceable at least into the lockedposition; and (e) when a second container is placed over a firstcontainer and the locking mechanism is at the respective lockedposition, loads applied to the carrying handle are substantially notapplied to the locking latches.
 61. The container assembly of claim 53,wherein in the event that a second container is placed over a firstcontainer, when the locking member of the first container is at thelocked position, positioning the second container over the firstcontainer entails spontaneous displacement of the locking member intothe unlocked position.
 62. The container assembly of claim 42,characterized by one or more of the following features: (a) beingconfigured as a portable container assembly; (b) a bottom most containerof the assembly is fitted with a locomoting arrangement; (c) theassembly comprises one or more bucket-like containers, one or moredrawer containers configured with a drawer-housing container, one ormore organizer containers configured with an organizer container, one ormore sliding containers, one or more pivoting containers, and/or one ormore parallel mechanism containers; and (d) configured with a handle.63. The container assembly of claim 53, characterized by one or more ofthe following features: (a) being configured as a portable containerassembly; (b) a bottom most container of the assembly is fitted with alocomoting arrangement; (c) the assembly comprises one or morebucket-like containers, one or more drawer containers configured with adrawer-housing container, one or more organizer containers configuredwith an organizer container, one or more sliding containers, one or morepivoting containers, and/or one or more parallel mechanism containers;and (d) configured with a handle.